Seasats
"Ocean Autonomy That Works"
San Diego maker of small uncrewed surface vessels: the hand-launched Lightfish runs six months and 8,000 nm; Quickfish does 35+ knots.
Seasats, registered as SeaSatellites, Inc., builds small uncrewed surface vessels in San Diego for defence, science and commercial customers who need a boat to stay at sea without a crew on board. It works from 4901 Morena Blvd, Building 600, and is led by co-founder and chief executive Mike Flanigan with Dylan Rodriguez as chief technology officer, Max Kramers as chief of vehicle design, Melissa Hallock as chief financial officer, Andrew Burcham as chief revenue officer and Declan Kerwin as chief of staff. Crunchbase lists Mike Flanigan, Dan Flanigan, Dylan Rodriguez and Max Kramers as founders and puts headcount in the 11 to 50 band.
Three hulls cover different missions. Lightfish is the endurance platform and the vessel the company is known for: 305 lb, 5 knots top speed, up to six months at sea, an 8,000 nautical mile range and 66 lb of payload, light enough for one or two people to launch by hand without a crane. Quickfish trades endurance for speed, doing 35-plus knots with 450 lb of payload over 400-plus nautical miles and about a month of endurance, launched from a trailer or crane at 1,450 to 1,900 lb. Heavyfish, announced for 2026, is a 9,000 lb vessel carrying 1,000 lb of payload at 12 knots for up to six months, aimed at security patrols, survey and anti-submarine sonar work. All three offer a 5 to 28 volt payload bus with 300-plus watts of burst power.
The missions the company documents are specific rather than generic: tracking dark or ghost fleets, monitoring hurricane paths, detecting illegal fishing, watching toxic algal blooms, listening for submarine signals, checking pipeline condition, maritime domain awareness and counter-smuggling. Named customers include the US Navy and the US Marine Corps, and the company has taken part in the Department of War APFIT programme. Its vessels have crossed both the Pacific and the Atlantic autonomously, a Quickfish completed an eight-day continuous sea trial in March 2026, and in May 2026 the company reported the first autonomous transit of the Taiwan Strait.
Funding reached more than USD 40 million with a USD 20 million Series A announced on 17 February 2026, led by Konvoy Ventures with Shield Capital, DNS Capital, Techstars, Tanis Venture Management, Crumpton Ventures and Dorado Group participating. The proceeds are earmarked for production capacity, additional product lines and hiring, against what the company describes as accelerating demand for autonomous maritime platforms.
Primary type & automation activities this supplier delivers:
Contact Seasats
WEBSITE
https://www.seasats.com/HEADQUARTERS
United States
Company Facts
Founded
-
Primary Role
Manufacturer
Company Size
employees 10-50
Primary Region
North America
Annual Sales
-
Funding Stage
Early-Stage VC
Funding Total
$ 40,000,000
Seasats Secures $24 Million in Orders for Lightfish USVs to Enhance Military Surveillance
Seasats, based in New Zealand, has reported securing $24 million in funded orders for its Lightfish unmanned surface vessel (USV) in August and early September. These orders include boats for the US Navy and Marine Corps, indicating a rising demand for small, long-endurance USVs among military users. The Lightfish, an 11-foot solar-powered drone boat, is designed for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions. Its ability to operate autonomously for extended periods allows military forces to monitor vast maritime areas without deploying crewed vessels, thus providing a cost-effective solution for persistent maritime awareness. Looking ahead, Seasats aims to expand its offerings through its robot-as-a-service (RaaS) model, which allows military customers to utilize the USVs without the need for extensive maintenance and training infrastructure. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
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Kratos Defense's Valkyrie Drone Completes Successful Flight with F-35 Fighters
The US military is advancing towards integrating uncrewed aircraft with advanced fighter jets, specifically the F-35 and F/A-18. Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has showcased its XQ-58A Valkyrie drone's capabilities during a recent flight test in Southern California, where it successfully operated alongside Marine Corps fighters. This demonstration is significant as it highlights the potential for autonomous aircraft to enhance mission capabilities in contested airspaces. The Valkyrie's successful launch from a zero-length system and its ability to transition control between different systems underscore the importance of interoperability in military operations. Looking ahead, Kratos plans to scale production of the Valkyrie, aiming for over 150 unmanned aircraft systems by 2026. The ongoing collaboration with Northrop Grumman for the MUX TACAIR program will further adapt the Valkyrie for advanced missions, emphasizing the need for open-architecture systems in modern military aviation.
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Elroy Air has secured a $46 million multi-year contract from the US Army to enhance its autonomous hybrid-electric VTOL cargo drone, the Chaparral. This contract aims to improve the drone's capabilities in challenging military environments, focusing on modular cargo delivery and operational efficiency alongside troops. The significance of this contract lies in its alignment with the Army's emphasis on 'contested logistics,' ensuring supply continuity amid disruptions. Elroy Air's Chaparral drone, capable of carrying over 500 pounds, is designed for operations without fixed infrastructure, making it ideal for remote or damaged locations. Looking ahead, Elroy Air plans to start manufacturing the Chaparral in the US later this year, partnering with Kratos Defense & Security Solutions. While the current focus is military, the company also aims to expand the drone's applications in commercial logistics and disaster response, indicating a broader market potential for autonomous cargo delivery.
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Seasats' Lightfish USV Encounters Chinese Destroyer, Raising Engagement Rule Concerns
A Lightfish uncrewed surface vessel (USV) owned by Seasats had a notable encounter with a Chinese Type 052D guided missile destroyer near the Philippines. The incident, reported by Reuters, occurred approximately 73 miles northeast of Luzon Island, highlighting the increasing presence of USVs in strategic maritime areas. This encounter underscores the potential risks posed by USVs to advanced naval vessels, raising critical questions about the rules of engagement for navies and merchant ships operating in contested regions. The Luzon Strait, a vital waterway, could become a focal point for future conflicts, particularly in the context of tensions surrounding Taiwan. The Lightfish USV, which can operate for extended periods thanks to its solar-powered hybrid system, tracked the Chinese destroyer from a distance of about 10 nautical miles. While the destroyer took evasive action upon noticing the USV, the intent behind the encounter remains unclear. No further timeline was disclosed at the time of publication.
Sea Destroyers Navies People's Liberation Army Navy (China) Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs)
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Kratos Defense & Security Solutions has expanded its manufacturing campus in Oklahoma City with the addition of more than 100,000ft2 of production and assembly space.
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RS Aqua Announces Strategic Partnership with US -based Seasats to Bring Autonomous Surface Vehicles to UK and Ireland Defence Market
RS Aqua has formed a strategic partnership with Seasats, a developer of unmanned surface vehicles (USVs) based in San Diego, to launch a new range of security platforms tailored for the defense market in the United Kingdom and Ireland. This collaboration aims to enhance maritime security capabilities in these regions, responding to an increasing demand for advanced surveillance and operational solutions. The partnership is expected to leverage Seasats' innovative technology and RS Aqua's established presence in the UK and Ireland to effectively address the evolving security challenges faced by defense sectors.
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Seasats Awarded $89M U.S. Navy SBIR Phase 3 IDIQ Contract, Building on Series of Operational Milestones
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Seasats Introduces the Lightfish Security System: A Cost-Effective, Modular ASV for Persistent Maritime Domain Awareness
Seasats, a U.S. company specializing in autonomous maritime systems, has unveiled its latest innovation, the Lightfish Security System. This advanced autonomous surface vehicle (ASV) is engineered to enhance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) capabilities across various environments, including coastal areas, harbors, and open oceans. The launch of the Lightfish Security System aims to address the growing demand for persistent maritime monitoring and security solutions. By integrating cutting-edge technology, Seasats seeks to provide a reliable tool for maritime operations, ensuring enhanced safety and operational efficiency in critical areas.
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Seasats Secures Funding to Accelerate Growth of Autonomous Maritime Solutions
Seasats, a San Diego-based company specializing in autonomous surface vehicles (ASVs), has secured $10 million in a strategic funding round led by Shield Capital, a Silicon Valley venture capital firm focused on dual-use technologies that enhance national security. The funding round also attracted investments from Aero X Ventures, Techstars, and other contributors. This financial boost will support Seasats' efforts to expand its maritime autonomy solutions globally, positioning the company for significant growth in the evolving market of autonomous maritime technology.
